U.S. patent application number 12/945964 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for security assembly for use with disposable displays.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to MICHAEL RAPP.
Application Number | 20120119909 12/945964 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46047259 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120119909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAPP; MICHAEL |
May 17, 2012 |
SECURITY ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH DISPOSABLE DISPLAYS
Abstract
A system and method for displaying merchandise item is
presented. A disposable merchandise display includes a disposable
display stand, an alarm unit and tethers. The disposable display
stand is interchangeable with other disposable display stands and
the alarm unit. The disposable display stand further includes one
or more display areas for displaying merchandise items and allowing
for the handling of the merchandise times. The alarm unit is
configured to be placed inside the disposable display stand. Each
of the tethers can be connected between the alarm unit and a
corresponding merchandise item. The alarm unit is configured to
generate an alarm when a merchandise item displayed at the
merchandise display is moved away from the disposable merchandise
display or a tether is cut.
Inventors: |
RAPP; MICHAEL; (MODAUTAL,
DE) |
Assignee: |
CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
PHILADELPHIA
PA
|
Family ID: |
46047259 |
Appl. No.: |
12/945964 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/568.2 ;
340/568.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 13/1427 20130101;
G08B 13/1445 20130101; A47F 7/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/568.2 ;
340/568.8 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/14 20060101
G08B013/14 |
Claims
1. A merchandise display for securely displaying merchandise items
comprising: a disposable display stand; an alarm unit configured to
be placed inside the disposable display stand, wherein the
disposable display stand is interchangeable with other disposable
display stands and the alarm unit, wherein the disposable display
stand further comprises: one or more display areas for displaying
merchandise items and allowing for the handling of the merchandise
items; and a plurality of tethers, wherein each of the plurality of
tethers is configured to be connected between the alarm unit and a
corresponding merchandise item, wherein the alarm unit is
configured to generate an alarm when a merchandise item displayed
at the merchandise display is moved away from the merchandise
display or a tether is cut.
2. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the one or more
display areas include one or more shelves for displaying
merchandise items.
3. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the alarm unit
further comprises: a power supply to supply power to the alarm
unit.
4. The merchandise display of claim 3 wherein the power supply is
configured to supply power through the plurality of tethers to one
or more of the merchandise items on display.
5. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the disposable
display stand is fabricated out of cardboard and/or plastic
boards.
6. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the merchandise
display further comprises: a plurality of pedestals for displaying
a corresponding merchandise item on a corresponding pedestal.
7. The merchandise display of claim 1 wherein the disposable
display stand further comprises: one or more predefined fold lines
configured to allow the disposable display stand to be folded at
one or more locations before disposable display stand is placed
over the alarm unit.
8. The merchandise display of claim 1 further comprising: two or
more disposable shelves for displaying merchandise items; two or
more power supply units, wherein at least some of the disposable
shelves correspond to one of the power supply units, wherein the
disposable shelves are configured to enclose a corresponding power
supply unit, wherein the plurality of tethers includes two or more
tethers to connect merchandise items to the power supply units, and
wherein the power supply units are configured to supply power to
the merchandise items.
9. The merchandise display of claim 8 wherein a first power supply
unit corresponding to a first disposable shelf is configured to
supply power to merchandise items displayed on the first disposable
shelf, and wherein a second power supply unit corresponding to a
second disposable shelf is configured to supply power to
merchandise items displayed on the second disposable shelf.
10. The display of claim 8 wherein the disposable shelves are
formed with at least one of the group of corrugated paper and/or
corrugated plastic.
11. The merchandise display of claim 8 wherein the disposable
shelves further comprise: a shelf base; a flat planar surface for
displaying the merchandise items on top of the flat planar surface,
wherein the flat planar surface is above the shelf base and a
corresponding power supply is located within the shelf base.
12. A method for displaying merchandise items with disposable
displays comprising: assembling a lightweight first disposable
display formed with at least one of the group of paper, plastic,
corrugated paper, and/or corrugated plastic; installing at least
one alarm unit inside the first disposable display, wherein the at
least one alarm unit is configured to generate an alarm when a
merchandise item is removed a predetermined distance from the first
disposable display; placing merchandise items in the first
disposable display; and connecting the merchandise items to the at
least one alarm unit.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: removing the
merchandise items and the at least one alarm unit from the first
disposable display; assembling a lightweight second disposable
display formed with at least one of the group of paper, plastic,
corrugated paper, and/or corrugated plastic; installing at least
one alarm unit inside the second disposable display; placing
merchandise items in the second disposable display; and connecting
the merchandise items to the at least one alarm unit.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the assembling a lightweight
first disposable display further comprises: assembling a base unit;
assembling a merchandise display unit; attaching the merchandise
display unit to a top of the base unit, wherein the installing at
least one alarm unit further comprises: installing the at least one
alarm unit inside the base unit, wherein the placing merchandise
items further comprises: placing merchandise items on the
merchandise display unit.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the assembling a lightweight
first disposable display further comprises: assembling a base unit;
assembling a first shelf unit and a second shelf unit; attaching
the first shelf unit to the base unit and the second shelf unit to
the first shelf unit, wherein the installing at least one alarm
unit further comprises: installing a first alarm unit inside the
first shelf unit and installing a second alarm unit inside the
second shelf unit.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the assembling a lightweight
first disposable display further comprises: installing at least one
signage riser to the first disposable display for displaying
information about the merchandise items.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising: installing a power
supply into the first disposable display, wherein the power supply
is configured to supply power to the at least one alarm unit and
the merchandise items.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the assembling a lightweight
first disposable display further comprises: folding portions of the
first disposable display along pre-folded seams.
19. A reusable alarm system comprising: a portable alarm unit
configured to be mounted to a first merchandise display and
configured to be removed from the first merchandise display and
mounted to a second merchandise display and further comprising: a
plurality of sensors configured to detect when a merchandise item
is removed from the a merchandise display the portable alarm unit
is mounted to; and alarm logic configured to generate an alarm
signal when it is detected that a merchandise item is removed from
a merchandise display the portable alarm unit is mounted to.
20. The reusable alarm system of claim 19 further comprising: a
plurality of tethers configured to be connected between merchandise
items on display at a merchandise display the reusable alarm system
is mounted to and the portable alarm unit.
21. The reusable alarm system of claim 19 wherein the plurality of
sensors are configured to detect when a merchandise item is removed
from the a merchandise display by determining when a merchandise
item is moved a predetermined distance from the merchandise
display.
22. The reusable alarm system of claim 19 wherein the portable
alarm system further comprises: a power source configured to supply
power to merchandise items at a merchandise display the reusable
alarm system is mounted to.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The current invention relates generally to apparatus,
systems and methods for displaying items of merchandise. More
particularly, the apparatus systems and methods relate to
displaying items at a point-of-purchase display structure.
Specifically, the apparatus, systems and methods provide for
point-of-purchase display structure that is easily modified and
that provides alarms for theft protection of items displayed at the
display structure in a commercial environment.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Point-of-purchase display structures for displaying
merchandise items are quickly and easily setup, knocked down and
are easily changed. For example, these structures are useful for
displaying changing promotional items that are changed often enough
to keep consumer interest in the items displayed at the display
structure. These display structures are often fabricated from
plastic or paperboard materials. Because these structures are
fabricated out of materials that can be easily broken, cut or torn,
these display structures are best used to display inexpensive items
where theft is of little concern. Thus, a better way of displaying
valuable merchandise items may be desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a
merchandise display for displaying merchandise items. The display
includes a disposable display stand, an alarm unit and tethers. The
disposable display stand can be fabricated out of cardboard and/or
plastic boards. The disposable display stand is interchangeable
with other disposable display stands and the alarm unit. The
disposable display stand further includes display areas for
displaying merchandise items and allowing for the handling of the
merchandise items. The display areas include one or more shelves
for displaying merchandise items. The alarm unit can be placed
inside the disposable display stand. Each of the tethers can be
connected between the alarm unit and a corresponding merchandise
item. The alarm unit generates an alarm when a merchandise item
displayed at the merchandise display is moved away from the
merchandise display or a tether is cut.
[0006] In another configuration of the preferred embodiment, the
merchandise display includes a power supply utilized to supply
power to the alarm unit. The power supply can be configured to
supply power through the plurality of tethers to one or more of the
merchandise items on display.
[0007] Another configuration of the preferred embodiment includes a
method for displaying merchandise items with disposable displays.
The method assembles a lightweight disposable display formed with
paper, plastic, corrugated paper, and/or corrugated plastic. Next,
a power supply and/or alarm unit is installed inside the disposable
display. An alarm unit can be installed in the disposable display.
The alarm unit generates an alarm when a merchandise item is
removed a predetermined distance from the disposable display. After
the display is assembled, merchandise items are placed in the
disposable display and the merchandise items are connected to the
power supply.
[0008] Later, the method can create a new display by simply
removing the merchandise items and the power supply and/or alarm
unit from the disposable display. A different lightweight
disposable display is assembled that is also formed with paper,
plastic, corrugated paper and/or corrugated plastic. The power
supply and/or alarm unit is then reinstalled inside the new
disposable display. The merchandise items are then replaced on the
new disposable display and the merchandise items are reconnected to
the power supply and/or alarm unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] One or more preferred embodiments that illustrate the best
mode(s) are set forth in the drawings and in the following
description. The appended claims particularly and distinctly point
out and set forth the invention. The accompanying drawings, which
are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification,
illustrate various example methods, and other example embodiments
of various aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that
the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes,
or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the
boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements
or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some
examples, an element shown as an internal component of another
element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa.
Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of disposable
display with security with an alarm unit in a base unit of the
display.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of disposable
display with security with alarm units in shelve units of the
display.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for protecting
merchandise items with a disposable display.
[0013] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing
numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or
functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While
the present invention is described with respect to what is
presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the
disclosed aspects.
[0015] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the
invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now
described.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a merchandise
display 1 for securely displaying merchandise items. The
merchandise display 1 can include a base unit 2, several shelving
units 3, a signage riser 4 and an alarm unit 5. The base unit 2,
several shelving units 3 and signage riser 4 can form a disposable
display stand. The merchandise display 1 is disposable because it
is formed out of inexpensive cardboard and/or plastic boards or
other material rather wood or other traditional materials. The
shelving units 3 can form interior chambers 17 where merchandise
items 10 can be displayed on self surfaces 18. The merchandise
items 10 are displayed on the shelving units 3 so these items can
be handled by a customer while the customer decides whether to
purchase one of the merchandise items 10. The merchandise items 10
can be electronic items such as cellular phones 14, cameras 15,
personal digital assistants, and the like.
[0017] The merchandise display 1 is an improvement over prior art
displays because the structure of the display is disposable while
the security features of the display 1 can be reused with other
disposable structures. For example, the merchandise display 1 can
be configured with an advertising theme and signage 4 for one
marketing theme. This marketing scheme can be quickly changed by
removing the merchandise items 10 and alarm unit 5 from the
disposable base unit 2 and shelve units 3. The signage 4, other
portion or the entire merchandise display 1 is removed. A new base
unit 2, shelve units 3 and/or signage 4 can then be reassembled to
create a disposable merchandise display 1 with a new marketing
theme. The merchandise items 10 are then reconnected to the alarm
unit 5 inside the new merchandise display 1. This allows for the
rapid changing of advertising material printed on the disposable
display 6 or the color theme of the display 6.
[0018] As previously mentioned, the disposable display stand 6 can
be made out of paper, plastic, corrugated paper, corrugated
plastic, and/or other lightweight materials that are inexpensive
and can be easily disposed of. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will realize that other materials may be used to construct the base
unit 2, shelf units 3 and signage 4 of the disposable merchandise
display 1. The disposable merchandise display 1 may be formed from
flat sheets of corrugated material that has been cut and creased to
allow folds to easily later be made when folding material while
assembling the display 6.
[0019] The alarm unit 5 can be sized to allow the base unit 2 to be
positioned over the alarm unit 5 and sat atop of the alarm unit 5.
Alternatively, the alarm unit 5 may be small enough to fit within a
chamber in the base unit 2. The merchandise items 10 can be
connected to the alarm unit 5 with electrical tethers 12. The alarm
unit 5 will generate an alarm when it detects a tether 12 has been
cut or a merchandise item 10 has been removed from a tether 12. The
alarm may be an audible alarm, an alarm message transmitted to
store personnel or another type of alarm.
[0020] In another configuration of the preferred embodiment, the
merchandise items 10 are not connected to the alarm unit 5 with
tethers 12. Instead, the alarm unit 5 is configured to wirelessly
track the movement of the merchandise items 10 relative to the
alarm unit 5. When a merchandise item 10 is determine to have been
moved more than a predetermined distance from the alarm unit 5, the
alarm unit 5 is configured to generate the alarm.
[0021] In one configuration of the preferred embodiment, the shelf
units 3 may be modular and may be stacked atop each other. The
shelf units 3 are generally box shaped with openings in the front
to allow viewing of the merchandise items 10. The merchandise items
10 are placed on a lower shelf portion 18 that is a generally
planar flat surface. In some embodiments of the preferred
embodiment, pedestals 19 can be attached to the lower shelf
portions 18 so that the merchandise items 10 and be angled for
better viewing. The tethers 12 can pass through the center of the
pedestals 19. A re-coiler can be attached to the bottom of the
pedestals 19 to automatically recoil the tether 12 back in to the
re-coiler when a merchandise item 10 is returned to the pedestal
19.
[0022] A power supply 20 can also be placed into the base unit 2.
The power supply 20 can supply power to the alarm unit 5 and to
conductors in the tethers 12 connected to the alarm unit 5. The
power supply 20 can supply power to the merchandise items 10 on a
round robin basis. The power supply 20 may detect which tethers (or
alarm unit ports) are connected to a merchandise item 10 and then
only supply power to the tethers or port connected to a merchandise
item 10.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of the preferred
embodiment with an alarm unit 50 located in a lower chamber beneath
the lower shelf portion 18 of each shelf unit 3. These alarm units
50 monitor merchandise items 10 located on the shelf unit 3
associated with the corresponding alarm unit 50 beneath that shelf
unit 3. The alarm units 50 for each shelf unit 3 will operate
similar as the alarm unit 5 of FIG. 1; however, the alarm units 50
of FIG. 2 will monitor merchandise items 10 on a shelf unit 3
basis. Similar to the alarm units 50, power supply units 51 can be
located beneath corresponding shelf units 3 and power the alarm
units 5 on a shelf unit 3 basis.
[0024] Example methods may be better appreciated with reference to
flow diagrams. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the
illustrated methodologies are shown and described as a series of
blocks, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not
limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur in
different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that
shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks
may be required to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be
combined or separated into multiple components. Furthermore,
additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional,
not illustrated blocks.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 of protecting merchandise
items at a disposable merchandise display. The method 300 begins by
assembling a lightweight disposable display at 302. The disposable
merchandise display is formed with paper, cardboard, plastic,
corrugated paper, corrugated plastic and/or other materials. An
alarm unit is placed inside the disposable display at 304 that is
configured to determine when a merchandise item displayed at the
display is moved too far from the display. Merchandise items are
place in the disposable display at 306. The merchandise items are
connected to the alarm unit at 308.
[0026] Later, the disposable merchandise display can be quickly
replaced with a new disposable merchandise display. First, the
merchandise items and the power supply are removed from the
original disposable display. Next, an updated disposable display is
assembled that is formed with paper, plastic, corrugated paper,
corrugated plastic other materials. The alarm unit is then
reinstalled inside the updated disposable display. The merchandise
items are replaced into the updated disposable display. Finally,
the merchandise items are reconnected to alarm unit.
[0027] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed. Therefore, the invention
is not limited to the specific details, the representative
embodiments, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus,
this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications,
and variations that fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0028] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details
shown or described. References to "the preferred embodiment," "an
embodiment," "one example," "an example," and so on indicate that
the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a
particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element,
or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily
includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic,
property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the
phrase "in the preferred embodiment" does not necessarily refer to
the same embodiment, though it may.
* * * * *